This is a very interesting report from London’s Financial Times. It elaborates on indications that al Qaeda is morphing into an organized crime network and making a lot of money from narcotics. Needless to say, this is complicated. Afghan growers, Russian crime figures, never mind places like Colombia. Also see this for how FARC recruits in Colombia. Also see this DEA testimony before a Senate committee. And this from the BBC on the connection between the Madrid bombings and narcotics
Sorry to be a pedant but the district is Columbia and the country is Colombia. Besides that you make very good points.
cc: Thanks. Sorry about that; didnt pay attention.
And those who involve themselves in criminal organizations are eventually mastered by them It will be interesting to see the effect.